HETRA Volunteer Advancement Levels

White Star Volunteer: The white star volunteers are strictly sidewalkers or equipment/toy assistants.  These volunteers do not have direct contact with the horses. 

Green Star: A green star volunteer will act in the groomer/tacker role, and will assist the barn leader with the general barn duties, but will not be doing any of the horse leader duties.  A volunteer must meet the following qualifications to become a green star volunteer:

• Has been a white star volunteer for at least 16 volunteer hours acting as a sidewalker or equipment/toy assistant.
• Has attended a horse Grooming and Tacking Skill Training.
• Can demonstrate proper grooming & tacking techniques and knows the names of all the saddles & tack how to properly put the tack on the horses.  (some minimal assistance may be required)

Blue Star: A blue star volunteer will act as a beginner horse leader, only leading the horses that are categorized as blue star horses.  They can also act in the groomer/tacker position.  This volunteer must be at least 14 years old and must meet the following qualifications to become a blue star volunteer:

• Has acted as a green star volunteer for at least 16 volunteer hours as a sidewalker, equipment/toy assistant or groomer & tacker, or demonstrates appropriate skill level. 
• Has attended a horse leader skill training, and must attend a horse leader skill training annually.
• Can demonstrate appropriate bridling techniques.
• Is able to recognize behavioral changes in horses- paying close attention to facial expressions and body language. 
• Has demonstrated leading techniques with three different horses without incident.  Instructors will watch for incorrect leading techniques such as pulling, dragging, standing too close and choking up on the lead line. 

Gold Star: A gold star volunteer will act as an advanced horse leader, can lunge the horses prior to sessions and will be able to act as a barn leader (recommended 18 years of age to act as barn leader).  This volunteer must be at least 14 years of age and must meet the following qualifications to be a gold star volunteer:

• Has acted as a blue star volunteer for at least 16 volunteer hours or demonstrates appropriate skill level. 
• Demonstrates advanced skill in all aspects of the volunteer role and has a clear understanding of the policies and procedures of the HETRA program.
• Is able to fit tack, ensure horses are tacked correctly, and recognize horse problems.
• Consistently demonstrates how to handle a strong /fussy horse in the mounting area.  Can demonstrate how to handle a horse that is misbehaving, and knows how to react appropriately in various emergencies involving either the horse or student (for example, when a horse pulls back in panic mode, the volunteer follows the lead line, rather than pulling against it)
• Possesses a baseline level of physical fitness due to the potential physical demands of handling difficult horses. 
• Has attended a horse lunging skill training and demonstrates proper lunging skills with all horses.
• Demonstrates proper leading techniques and has spent extra time outside of sessions with an instructor working with at least two of the gold star horses.     
• Must attend a horse leader skill training annually.

Advancement levels will be noted by a colored star on each volunteer name tag.